surinfarm commented : [quote="drake":3r635hia][quote="chazthai":3r635hia]Take the current kerfuffle over the EZ-Pass system, for example. The complaints that it just doesn't work are completely logical and justified, and the solutions are apparent to anyone who has experienced the system in the US, for example. I wrote on this just a few days ago. But is it going to get fixed?...Not very d...n likely! [/quote:3r635hia] Yeah, that. Here it seems more about the ease of paying the toll rather than consideration for the traffic congestion. Someone went out and bought this gated system from Kapsch Group instead of a different toll tag system that allow the cars to zip through at highway speed and we are stuck with it for now. The funked up lane assignment system which places the ezPass gate at random slot at each of the toll station but (almost) always between paid gates, well, that could only have been dredged up from the eleventh cesspool of chinese fire drill inferno by committees of Thai bureaucrats. But I digressed. Re. the original question "The paradox. Why...?? Why, if they are not happy and comfortable in there chosen country of residence, do they insist to be living in said culture of choice? Wouldn't it be pertinent to one's existence to exist in an atmosphere that you might be comfortable and "at home" in?" This question was actually once raised in another thread It's usually a mix of several factors. - aren't comfortable with themselves, won't be comfortable anywhere. - can't go home, for whatever reason. - didn't fit in at their old home either. - inability to adapt or be assimilated in to the new environment - superiority/god/missionary complex - they like some of the things in their new home but also want the 'good' things they had whence they came - just plain clueless and being the jerks that they are. - can't admit that they are wrong or didn't know any better. - would have been beaten senseless whence they came for same attitude. - taller than most people here but the shortest guy back home. - delusional, thinks they are going to change the Thais....[/quote:3r635hia] All these above apply. Yet, I'm quite amused as to the poster above you that suggest Thais yearn to be "Western". Mostly from the deep-end.

surinfarm commented : It ain't rebellin' if you're buying what they're sellin'...

surinfarm commented : The best way to attend to any such business with the American mission would be in-person face to face. Something tends to be always lost by phone or email....

surinfarm commented : In defence of Farang husbands, it's been my long years of observations that a much greater percentage of Farang-Thai relationships will extend a consistent contentment and loyalty pattern within their respective coupling. Contrary to popular myth, Farang divorce and cheating rates are much lower than what has been promoted. A much more common trait amongst Thai guys can be seen with the likes of a "side misstress" or "mia noi", where such character amongst Western men is batched in stereotype and myth.

surinfarm commented : [quote="clubsiam@yahoo.com":2awi9uuu]I landed at Thailands International Airport was was treated very badly by the immigration official. I made a small mistake on my entry card and the guy was outraged. I kept my cool even though this rude person treated me in a most disrespectful manner. I felt he was egging me on to start a fight.. I had just been to the Thai Consulate in Laos and was also treated in a disrespectful manner by a staff member there too. Land of Smiles? Don't think so. Just for the record, I am not a drunk or slob. I always am polite and well mannered. The treatment by Thai Officials is shocking.[/quote:2awi9uuu] The general character traits that can be displayed by those whom find themselves in a role of officialdom, quasi-officialdom, and authority {wannabe or not} stems from a natural class insecurity - most distinctly manifest from a social order the derives from traditional class order and hierarchy. It's a feel good factor.

surinfarm commented : Oh well... [i:2ga3cb2o]MAI PHEN LAI [/i:2ga3cb2o]